Disposable finger protecting cleansing mitt

ABSTRACT

A mitt or glove is provided with a sponge or pad on one face thereof and is detachably sealed within an envelope in a sterile condition. The finger engaging cuff of the mitt extends from the envelope so that the mitt can be engaged over the finger of the user wherefrom the protective envelope can be peeled back and removed.

O United States Patent [151 3,638,789 Tuszewski Feb. 1, 1972 [54]DISPOSABLE FINGER PROTECTING 3,412,851 11/1968 Coulombe ..206/63.2CLEANSING MITT 3,447,181 6/1969 Coker et al. ..15/10494 [72] Inventor:Marian Stanislak Tuswewski, 915 49th FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONSCalgary Albem Canada 534,879 1/1955 Belgium ..15/227 [22] Filed: Jan.26, 1970 1,200,067 6/1959 France 15/227 [2]] App]. N03 5590 1,397,3403/1965 France ..401/7 Primary ExaminerDanie1 Blum [52] 11.8. CI...206/63.2 R, 15/ 104.94, 15/227, Attorney-Kent and Ade 206/47 R [51]Int. Cl ..A47k 7/03, A61b 19/02 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search A mmor glove is provided with a Sponge 0r pad on one face thereof and isdetachably sealed within an envelope in a sterile condition. The fingerengaging cuff of the mitt extends from [56] Rete Cited the envelope sothat the mitt can be engaged over the finger of UNITED STATES PATENTSthe user wherefrom the protective envelope can be peeled back andremoved. 1,495,389 5/1924 I-Ieimer1.... ..15/227 3,409,010 11/1968 Kron..206/63.2 X 10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB H972 SHEET 1 0F2 INVENTOR BY M/ ATTORNEY DISPOSABLE FINGER PROTECTING CLEANSING MI'I'IThis invention relates to new and useful improvements in disposable,finger protecting cleansing mitts with peel-back envelopes or covers tomaintain them in a sterile condition untilused.

The invention is designed to allow for the cleansing and wiping up andwashing of offensive, corrosive or other matter without contaminatingones fingers or hands in the process and is furthermore designed to bedisposable in a conventional flush toilet.

The mitt is designed for use in wiping up and washing off fecal matteror other material of an offensive, dirty, caustic, corrosive or stainingnature without contaminating one's hands in the process.

It is designed for use especially in the following circumstances.

Firstly, it is of particular use in the nursing care of patientsincontinent of feces and/or urine in hospitals, nursing homes,institutions for the mentally retarded, in private homes or the like.

Secondly, in the care of children who are not yet toilet trained both inhospital and institutional nurseries and in private homes.

Furthermore, it can be used in place of ordinary toilet paper bypatients sufiering from hemorrhoids, recurrent infections of the urinarybladder, vaginitis, various forms of pruritus or other conditions inwhich thorough cleaning of the perineum is desirable.

Another use is in the place of ordinary toilet paper for use bypersonnel in institutions and occupations in which very strictcleanliness of the hands is desirable, for example, by members ofoperating room staffs in hospitals, by personnel engaged in packagingdrugs and medicines, by food handlers in hospitals and restaurants.

It is also of particular use as wiping up and cleansing cloths inlaboratories or industrial establishments and workshops for spilledacids, alkalies, and any caustic, corrosive, staining or offensivesubstances which one would rather not have contaminating ones hands.

However, the principal object and essence of the invention is theapplication of a disposable finger-protecting cleansing mitt whichutilizes a peel-back envelope packaging for the following purposes:

I. as a means of packaging an amount of impregnation or medicationsuitable for a single application;

2. for assuring that the mitt or glove and attached sponge pad do notbecome contaminated by foreign substances;

3. for assuring bacteriologic sterility of the mitt or glove andattached sponge where such sterility is desirable in medical or surgicalapplications.

With the foregoing considerations and such other or further purposes,advantages or novel features as may become apparent from considerationof this disclosure and specification,

' the present invention consists of, and is hereby claimed to reside in,the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced, orincluded in the method, process, construction, composition, arrangementof combination of parts, or new of any of the foregoing, of whichconcept, one or more specific embodiments of same are herein exemplifiedas illustrative only of such concept, reference being had to theaccompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 is a section substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. I but withthe envelope removed.

FIG. 3 is a view substantially along the line 33 of FIG. I, but withoutthe seam.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view reduced on scale from the remaining views,showing the device on a hand.

FIG. 5 is a view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the device.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment with theenvelope in place.

FIG. 8 is an end view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the device with the envelope partiallypeeled from the mitt.

FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. 9.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, the mittcomprises a substantially rectangular pad 10 of absorbent flexible andsoft material commonly known as cotton batting although the material maybe manufactured from organic or inorganic material. In any event, it isa soft absorbent, fluffy material well known and readily available.

Secured to one face 11 thereof is a pocket 12. This pocket or envelope12 is preferably made of relatively thin, flexible plastic material suchas polyethylene sheeting and is in the form of an envelope being closedaround the major edge .13 thereof but open at the end 14 for theinsertion of the fingers of the user.

The edge 13 may be heat sealed if the envelope is formed from two sheetsof material, an upper sheet 12a and a lower sheet 12b.

This envelope or pocket 12 is secured to the surface or face 11 of thepad 10 adhesively as indicated by reference character 15 and it isdesirable that this adhesive be flexible so that it does not harden whendried.

The open end 14 is preferably turned back to form a cuff 16 which tendsto prevent any liquid being wiped by the device, from running onto thehand and wrist of the user.

It is also an alternative form of construction to form at least one seam17 in the pocket or envelope either by heat sealing or adhesive, thusforming a plurality of finger engaging compartments l8, 18.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive, the pocket issubstantially semicircular when viewed in plan with the open end 14being cut straight across as clearly shown.

Alternatively, the pocket may be rectangular as shown in FIG. 6 and thelower panel 12b may extend a distance beyond the cuff 16 formed on theupper surface only.

The embodiments shown are relatively small and can easily be disposed ofin conventional flush toilets.

However, it will be appreciated that larger pads can be manufactured ifdesired.

FIG. 4 shows the hand 19 of a user with fingers 20 inserted within thepocket and being protected thereby.

Due to the flexibility of both the pad and the pocket, the pad is easilymanipulatable by the fingers to facilitate the cleansing action.

If desired, the pad 10 may be suitably impregnated with a soap,detergent, or a solvent, or alternatively, may be medicated with anantiseptic, emollient, or astringent or any other medicinal agent.Furthermore, it may be scented or perfumed in any suitable way asrequired.

After use it is easily disposed of without the fingers of the userbecoming contaminated by the material on the pad.

Reference character 21 in FIG. 4 shows an enlarged version of the mitt,in phantom, in which the pocket extends almost to the wrist. The pad 10also extends over more of the palm thus making a larger unit.

The preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 inclusive includes anenvelope generally designated 22 used to enclose the mitt or glovehereinbefore described and illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6.

The envelope may be manufactured from moistureproof paper, aluminum orother metal foil, polyethylene film, or other similar material.

The sponge or pad 10 is impregnated with the desired solution, chemicalor substance. Where this invention is to be used for purposes ofpreoperative antiseptic skin preparation, this solution is one similarto the commercially available brands sold under trade mark PhisoHex,"loprep," Hexachlorophene" or Betadine," or the like.

The envelope 22 is preferably made from a substantially rectangularsheet of material 23 folded as at 24 to fonn the bottom seam of theenvelope.

The edges 25 may be adhesively secured together or, alternatively, otherconventional ways of manufacturing may be used.

The upper side edge 26 of the envelope is open and the portions 27 arefolded downwardly to form folded-down cuff portions. The mitt or glovehereinbefore described, is inserted within the envelope with the cuffportion 16 extending through the open side edge 26. This side edge isthen sealed adhesively to the cuff and to itself as indicated by thedotted lines 28 thus sealing off completely the pad and the remainder ofthe mitt within the envelope. It is essential that an airtight andmoisturetight seal be provided along the lines 28 thus maintaining theinterior of the envelope in a sterile condition until used.

In use, the fingers or hand are inserted within the cuff 16 of the mittor glove whereupon the opposite hand is used to grasp one of theturned-down cuff portions 27 of the envelope. This side may then bestripped downwardly to the position shown in H6. 9 whereupon the fingersmay grasp the opposite turned-down cuff portion 27 and the envelope maybe stripped completely from the mitt which is then ready for use in thesterile condition without having being touched by the user up to thispoint.

Although a single mitt is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, it will beappreciated that it could also be a glove with four fingers or fourfingers and a thumb (see FIG. 9).

Together with the advantages recited hereinbefore, other advantagesbecome obvious from the following in which is listed a number of stepswhich an operating room nurse would save by the use of a disposablepreoperative skin prep sponge packaged in this way.

Under normal conditions the nurse would proceed as follows:

1. Nurse opens package of sterile sponges.

2. She places same on a table.

3. She opens a package of sterile gloves.

4. She places the gloves on a table.

5. Nurse gets ready a sterile basin.

6. She gets ready a bottle of solution and pours the solution into thebasin.

7. Nurse dons sterile glove.

8. She takes a sterile sponge into the gloved hand and clips the spongeinto the solution.

In addition, once the skin prepping is completed, the use of thisinvention further eliminates the following steps:

9. Nurse tidies up bottle of solution.

10. Nurse tidies up basin with left over solution.

1 1. She disposes of left over (wasted) solution.

12. She tidies up gloves or disposes of disposable glove.

13. She disposes of sponges.

14. Another employee washes and resterilizes basin.

Thus the use of this invention substitutes three steps for 14 steps andalso saves on wasted solution, extra sponges, gloves, expenses ofsterilizing basins, storing all items, and the like.

Apart from the foregoing, this invention will be useful for applicationof all manner of substances which are either sterile, or which arestaining, dirty, poisonous, corrosive or offensive and which one wouldrather not touch with unprotected fingers. By its means all of thesesubstances can be packaged in amounts suitable for single applications.Examples are:

medicinal ointments, lotions and creams,

cosmetics, furniture polishes, paints, greases,

acids, herbicides, insecticides, industrial poisons, and the like.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventiveconcept which is herein disclosed and/or claimed.

What I claim to be the present invention is:

l. A disposable finger protecting mitt comprising in combination aflexible absorbent pad, a finger engaging pocket adhesively secured uponone side of said pad, said pocket being flexible and adapted to enclosethe major portion of the fingers of the user and having a fingerinserting open end, and a protective envelope surrounding and enclosingsaid mitt, the

said finger inserting open end of said mitt extending outwardly fromsaid envelope, means to detachably secure the enclosed mitt portion andpad in a sterile sealed condition within said envelope, said envelopeincluding a pair of opposite folded cuff portions adjacent to andextending from said finger inserting open end to facilitate peeling backand removal of said envelope from said mitt when used.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means includes an openside edge to said envelope, said finger engaging portion extendingthrough said open side edge, said envelope being adhesively secured toeach side of said finger engaging portion adjacent said open side edgethereof, thereby sealing the remainder of said mitt within saidenvelope.

3. The mitt according to claim 1 in which said pocket is provided withat least one dividing seam to separate said pocket into at least twofinger compartments.

4. The mitt according to claim 2 in which said pocket is provided withat least one dividing seam to separate said pocket into at least twofinger compartments.

5. The device according to claim 1 in which said finger insertingopening is provided with a cuff portion around the edge thereof, saidcuff being folded outwardly.

6. The device according to claim 2 in which said finger insertingopening is provided with a cuff portion around the edge thereof, saidcuff being folded outwardly.

7. The device according to claim 3 in which said finger insertingopening is provided with a cuff portion around the edge thereof, saidcuff being folded outwardly.

8. The device according to claim 1 in which said pad is formed ofrelatively soft batting, said pocket being formed from relatively thinflexible moistureproof plastic material.

9. The device according to claim 2 in which said pad is formed ofrelatively soft batting, said pocket being formed from relatively thinflexible moistureproof plastic material.

10. The device according to claim 5 in which said pad is formed ofrelatively soft batting, said pocket being formed from relatively thinflexible moistureproof plastic material.

=l i t

1. A disposable finger protecting mitt comprising in combination aflexible absorbent pad, a finger engaging pocket adhesively secured uponone side of said pad, said pocket being flexible and adapted to enclosethe major portion of the fingers of the user and having a fingerinserting open end, and a protective envelope surrounding and enclosingsaid mitt, the said finger inserting open end of said mitt extendingoutwardly from said envelope, means to detachably secure the enclosedmitt portion and pad in a sterile sealed condition within said envelope,said envelope including a pair of opposite folded cuff portions adjacentto and extending from said finger inserting open end to facilitatepeeling back and removal of said envelope from said mitt when used. 2.The device according to claim 1 in which said means includes an openside edge to said envelope, said finger engaging portion extendingthrough said open side edge, said envelope being adhesively secured toeach side of said finger engaging portion adjacent said open side edgethereof, thereby sealing the remainder of said mitt within saidenvelope.
 3. The mitt according to claim 1 in which said pocket isprovided with at least one dividing seam to separate said pocket into atleast two finger compartments.
 4. The mitt according to claim 2 in whichsaid pocket is provided with at least one dividing seam to separate saidpocket into at least two finger compartments.
 5. The device according toclaim 1 in which said finger inserting opening is provided with a cuffportion around the edge thereof, said cuff being folded outwardly. 6.The device according to claim 2 in which said finger inserting openingis provided with a cuff portion around the edge thereof, said cuff beingfolded outwardly.
 7. The device according to claim 3 in which saidfinger inserting opening is provided with a cuff portion around the edgethereof, said cuff being folded outwardly.
 8. The device according toclaim 1 in which said pad is formed of relatively soft batting, saidpocket being formed from relatively thin flexible moistureproof plasticmaterial.
 9. The device according to claim 2 in which said pad is formedof relatively soft batting, said pocket being formed from relativelythin flexible moistureproof plastic material.
 10. The device accordingto claim 5 in which said pad is formed of relatively soft batting, saidpocket being formed from relatively thin flexible moistureproof plasticmaterial.